The Real Cost of Addiction for Employers

Employers often look at what employees do outside of work hours as their own business. They tend to avoid getting too personally involved with employee behaviors as long as they are able to do their jobs. For this reason, many employers look the other way if they suspect an alcohol or drug problem if it doesn’t appear to interfere with job performance.

While employees are often adept at hiding addiction and covering up mistakes, it will impact the employer in time. As the dependence on addictive substances increases, the person will be more likely to miss work or have reduced performance. With some addictions such as prescription medications, they may be able to continue working as usual, but they pose an increased safety risk for themselves and others.

How Addiction Impacts Job Performance

For an employer to understand the need to take action with an employee’s addiction, they must understand how addiction works and the impact it has on job performance. A person may not show any negative results in the beginning of substance abuse. They believe they have everything under control. However, the body develops a craving for the substance whenever it isn’t present. As the system develops a tolerance for the substance, more is required for the person to feel the euphoria associated with the chemical.

The addict will require more of the drug and at increased frequency. They may go from using the substance after work to missing work to get high. They will come into work with decreased focus and an inability to concentrate. They may become physically ill if they try to abstain, because of the effects of withdrawal.

If addiction isn’t addressed, the person is likely to stop showing up to work or to cause an injury to themselves or others. They may even start using the substance while they are working, which increases the risks for the employer.

Impact of Addiction for Employers

Employers must worry about four main areas which are impacted by addiction:

• Death and fatal accidents
• Injuries and increased accident rates
• Absenteeism and extra sick leave used
• Lost production

These issues are seen in various scenarios. An employee comes in with a hangover and attempts to work, but the result is poor quality that must be redone to meet company or industry standards. Other areas include the following:

• Tardiness
• Falling asleep at work
• Making bad decisions
• Slow productivity
• Theft
• Impacts the morale and performance of other workers
• Fights with co-workers or supervisors
• Focusing on obtaining drugs even while at work
• Selling or buying drugs from other workers
• High rate of turnover
• Increased need for training of new employees
• Disciplinary actions

Not only do these issues impact the person who is addicted to the substance, it can also affect family members and their job performance.

The perception of drug abusers as unemployed is often inaccurate. In fact, statistics show that 70 percent of people who use illegal drugs are employed. Breathalyzer tests showed that 16 percent of people who went to the emergency room for a work-related injury had been drinking. Federal surveys indicate that almost one-fourth of workers admitted to drinking at least once during work hours in the past year.

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the cost of addiction to employers is $81 billion each year. This includes the time lost and low production of the worker, sick leave used as well as hiring and training replacement workers and paying for injuries that resulted from alcoholism and addiction.

Mental and Emotional Health Issues Related to Addiction

A large number of addicts also have a mental illness or emotional problems, which also impacts work performance. Addicts may use the illegal substances to self-medicate and avoid diagnosis of their health problems. Even when they try to stop using the substances, they cannot maintain sobriety. An ultimatum by the employer won’t be enough to help them stop using. The “get clean or lose your job” threat has little impact because the employee is unable to fight the addiction on their own.

Employers must understand the challenges that face the addict and the need for professional addiction Treatment before they can find an effective method of dealing with the issue. Once the system has become used to the presence of the substance, it has withdrawal symptoms whenever the person attempts to do without the drug. These symptoms may become severe, even leaving the person unable to function for days. Most of the time, the addict goes back to using to eliminate the withdrawal symptoms. The only way the person can successfully stop using the drug is to seek treatment at a drug rehabilitation facility.

How Employers can Support Addiction Treatment

When an employer sees the impact of addiction on the company, the question then turns to what they can do to lower these costs and prevent or resolve the issue of addiction.

One of the most effective ways of preventing addiction in the workplace is by establishing a drug-free workplace program and promoting education through classes and seminars. Some employers now provide free counseling services or at a reduced cost to help employees deal with personal issues which may lead to alcohol or drug abuse.

In addition to personal issues, workplace stress can lead to substance abuse. Employers must become more aware of this situation and encourage staff to come to managers and supervisors when they are dealing with added stress. They can be more open to communication about processes and procedures that lead to increased stress, which employees may deal with by substance abuse.

For example, an employee may constantly have to deal with tight deadlines that are difficult to manage or even unreasonable. They seek to alleviate the pressure and stress by going out for a drink after work. They continue to consume alcohol and increase the amount as they deal with the ongoing stress. As the alcohol abuse escalates, they may even begin drinking at work when the looming deadlines seem insurmountable. By providing an open line of communication for this employee to come to a supervisor and discuss their concerns, an employer can alleviate the stress that leads to the substance abuse.

Employer-Supported Treatment

For those who have already succumbed to the effects of addiction, employers can provide the necessary support to encourage the employee to seek help. Many employers offer to pay for drug treatment through specific facilities. Others provide for paid time off while the addict seeks treatment.

The employer may allow the addict to attend meetings during work hours without penalty or provide support in other ways. For some employers, it may even make sense to give the employee an extended leave of absence without the fear of losing their job while they attend an inpatient rehab treatment program. Knowing the person will have a job to come back to can be a strong incentive for them to deal with their addiction.

While it enhances a business’ image to be seen as a supportive employer for employees who are dealing with addiction or other issues, it also benefits the organization financially. At a cost of $81 billion a year, it only makes sense to put some of that money towards addiction prevention and treatment. There are many resources where you can discover addiction information for employers.

If you or someone you know is currently experiencing a problem with addiction to drugs or alcohol, don’t wait until it’s too late. Please Contact Beginnings Treatment Centers now to speak with one of our experienced intake advisors. There is no obligation or cost for the initial consultation, and quick action might save a life.